Improvement in boot-shank springs



T.C'.; WALKER. 8 07.01; Shank Spring,

?iathted$ept..28,1875.

L ar lento;

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HER. WASHINGTON D C I N. FE ERS., PNOTO LIT UNITED STATES THOMAS o. WALKER, 0 Mo RIsTowN, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN BOOT-SHANK SPRINGS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 168,301 dated September 28, 1875; application filed March 23, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS C. WALKER, of Morristown, in the county of 'Belmont and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boot-Shanks; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,

clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled inthe art towhich it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in metallic shank-stiffeners for boots and shoes;

. and it consists in the formation of a groove 1 or channel in the center of the shank-stiffener extending laterally nearly the whole length of the same. Through this central groove the pegs, nails, or other means for retaining the a leather or other substance, pass, which, while connecting the inner and outer sole of the boot or shoe, allow of the free action of the shank; but that my invention may be fully understood I will describe the same in detail, by

aid of the accompanying drawings.

Figurel represents a plan, and Fig. 2 an edge view, of a shank-stiffener constructed according to my invention. 1 side view of a shank with my stiffener applied Fig. 3 represents a thereto.

A represents the shank-stiffener, which I prefer to be formed of steel, and which is inserted between the inner and outer sole of the shank for the purpose of giving and retaining the proper arch to the shank. B is an elon- By thus constructing stiffeners with an elongated slot, B, for the passage of the pegs, it will be readily understood by competent workmen that I am enabled to give greater freedom to the shank in walking, and also the manufacture of the soles of the boots and shoes is much facilitated, especially when manufacturing sewed boots and shoes.

Havingthus described my invention, I would have it understood thatI do not claim, broadly, a boot-shank stiffener constructed with holes, and having slots formed therein, as I am aware that slots have been formed in the ends of stiffeners, as described in the specifications of Letters Patent granted to T. P. Monzini, dated December 14,1872,No. 134,088, and also to W. J. Neill, dated December 30, 1873, N 0. 145,963; nor do I claim a shank made of wire bent into shape, and united at or near the center by solder or otherwise, such as described in the specification of Letters Patent granted to Fielding I. Buren, dated May 13, 1873, N o. 138,85l; but 1 What I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

As a new article of manufacture, a sheetmetal boot-shank stiffener, having holes D D, and a slot or opening, B, with parallel sides formed through the same, and extending from front to rear in the center of the said shank, in the manner and for the purpose shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS o. WALKER.

Witnesses J EssE THOMAS, HENRY G. MOOONAUGHY. 

